JP2003316802A - Image management system, image management method and image management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently manage an image picture such as a document. <P>SOLUTION: The image management system comprises an image analyzing means 121a which sequentially picks up film images of a microfilm including a bar code having microindex data for managing image information recorded thereon in a readable manner to acquire image data, and recognizes a bar code included in this image data to acquire bar code analysis data; an analysis data examining means 121b which compares and contrasts the bar code analysis data analyzed by the image analyzing means 121a and the microindex data, and modifies the bar code analysis data based on the contrast result; and an image classifying means 121c which correlates the bar code analysis data modified by the analysis data examining means 121b with the image data, as retrieval index data, to classify the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image management system, an image management method, and an image management program for efficiently managing images such as documents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, office work performed in an organization such as a company has been managed mainly by using documents. Since the amount of documents will be enormous when performing office work, documents that need to be viewed at a later date are stored in a warehouse or the like. If necessary, the document is managed as a microfilm. When a user wants to browse a document, a file spelling the document is extracted from the warehouse, or a search request is made by the microfilm browsing system to extract the document.

In both the method of extracting a file from a warehouse and the method of browsing a microfilm, it takes a lot of time to obtain the contents of a document. As a result, there is concern that the clerical work efficiency may decrease due to the clutter of office work, and the customer service may deteriorate due to variations in the response time to customer inquiries regarding documents. Further, considering a huge copy and a storage space for managing past documents in kind, a more efficient management method is desired. In particular, when offices desiring to browse documents and warehouses for storing documents are scattered all over the country, management of document information causes a great change in office work efficiency and customer service.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional method, a complicated process is required for searching the document recorded on the microfilm, and the office work efficiency is low.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image management system, an image management method, and an image management program for efficiently managing images such as documents. Especially.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image recording areas are provided, and at least one of the image recording areas can read micro index data for managing image information. A scanner for sequentially capturing the film images of the microfilm including the barcode recorded in the aspect to obtain image data, and an image analysis means for recognizing the barcode included in the image data to obtain the barcode analysis data. And an analysis data inspection means for comparing and comparing the barcode analysis data analyzed by the image analysis means with the micro index data, and correcting the barcode analysis data based on the comparison result, and the analysis data inspection means. Search the barcode analysis data corrected by Wherein in association with the image data obtained by and a image classifying means for classifying the image data image management system is provided as.

As a result, since an image is captured from the microfilm and is managed based on the microindex data, it is not necessary to search the microfilm, and it is possible to efficiently search the document recorded as the microfilm. Can be done Specifically, the search time, which took several hours to several days from the search to the extraction, can be performed in several seconds or less. As a result, the waiting time until the required document information is obtained by the search can be significantly reduced, and the clerical efficiency and the customer service can be improved by avoiding the clogging of clerical work.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar having a plurality of image recording areas, and in at least one of the image recording areas, micro index data for managing image information is recorded in a readable manner. The film images of the microfilm including the code are sequentially captured to obtain the image data, the barcode included in the image data is recognized to obtain the barcode analysis data, the barcode analysis data and the microcode. The image data is compared and collated with index data, the barcode analysis data is corrected based on the collation result, and the barcode analysis data corrected by the analysis data inspection means is associated with the image data as search index data. An image management method for classifying is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer is provided with a plurality of image recording areas, and micro index data for managing image information can be read in at least one of the image recording areas. Means for sequentially capturing the film images of the microfilm including the barcode recorded in step 1 to obtain image data, means for recognizing the barcode included in the image data to obtain barcode analysis data,
The barcode analysis data analyzed by the image analysis means and the micro index data are compared and collated, and the barcode analysis data is corrected based on the collation result. The barcode corrected by the analysis data inspection means. An image management program is provided for causing analysis data to be used as search index data in association with the image data to function as a unit for classifying the image data.

The present invention relating to an apparatus (system) or method is intended for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the present invention (or for causing a computer to function as a means corresponding to the present invention, or for a computer according to the present invention. It also holds as a program for realizing corresponding functions) and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image management system is roughly classified into a microfilm conversion system 1, an image acquisition client system 2, and an image management server system 3.
Composed of. These respective systems 1 to 3 are connected via a network 4 so that data communication is possible.

The microfilm conversion system 1 includes a conversion terminal 11 and an index creating terminal 12
The image registration terminal 13 is connected to the network 4 and arranged. Further, the conversion terminal 11 is a high-speed scanner 11 for film scanning of microfilm.
0 is connected. The microfilm conversion system 1 collectively converts microfilm into image data.

The image acquisition client system 2 is provided with an image registration terminal 21 and an image search terminal 22 connected to the network 4. An image scanner 210 for scanning a document image is connected to the image registration terminal 21. The image acquisition client system 2 realizes a function of scanning a document image and converting it into image data, and an image search function.

An image server 31 is connected to the network 4 and arranged in the image management server system 3. The image server 31 includes a DVD (Digital Ve
rsatile Disk) An auto changer 310 is connected. An index data recording device 320 that stores index data is also connected to the image server 31. This image management server system 3
Responds to a request from the image acquisition client system 2 to search for image data, and sends the obtained image data to the image acquisition client system 2.

This image management system converts a large amount of documents into images by the image acquisition client system 2 and converts microfilm document information stored for managing a large number of documents generated in the past into a microfilm. Imaged by system 1. The obtained image information is transferred to the image management server system 3 and stored as an image file. The image file can be searched by the image search terminal 22 of the image acquisition client system 2. In response to the search by the image search terminal 22, the image management server system 3 acquires the corresponding image file and transfers it to the image search terminal 22.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a microfilm. As shown in FIG. 2, the microfilm 112 is
For example, a film having a film width of 16 mm is perpendicular to the film width direction (y-axis direction in FIG. 2) (x in FIG. 2).
(Longitudinal direction). Micro film 112
Is composed of an image recording area 202 and a guide area 203 which is an area other than the image recording area 202. The image recording area 202 is an area in which visual image information such as a document recorded using a microfilm recording device (not shown) is recorded. Two image recording areas 202 are provided at the same position in the film length direction, that is, at the same x coordinate position in FIG.

When images of a plurality of documents are recorded on one microfilm 112, a bar code as index information is recorded in the image recording area 202, for example, as the first image of the documents. Therefore, the area surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 2 corresponds to the area in which one document is recorded. The document identification number corresponds to the index information. That is, one of data managed as a micro index file described later is recorded in this barcode. As a result, since the barcode analysis data read by analyzing the barcode and the document identification number match, it is possible to ensure the identity between the index information and the document image recorded in the image recording area 202. it can. The scanning order of the barcode analysis data read by the microfilm reader (not shown) and the order of registration of the micro index data are the same.

Further, in the guide area 203, a blip mark is formed at the x coordinate corresponding to the image recording area 202. The blip mark includes a large blip mark 204a and a small blip mark 204b.
Large blip mark 204a and small blip mark 204
In b, a series of frame numbers can be read (or observed) by a microfilm reader (not shown).
It is attached. In addition, the large blip mark 204a includes
Not only the frame number but also the document identification information or the document identification number may be recorded so as to be readable by a microfilm reader (not shown).

The frame number and document identification information are
If the reading order of the image recording area 202, that is, the number of frames is correlated, the blip marks 204a,
It does not need to be readable recorded in 204b. That is, when searching, the microfilm reader automatically counts the number of frames previously obtained as data (for example, the number of frames of the large blip is the 10th, the number of frames of the small blip is the 3rd, etc.). Or, if the person in charge of search counts, the image of the desired document can be found.

Further, film identification information (for example, a film number) for identifying each microfilm from other microfilms is assigned to the microfilm.

In order to search for a document using this microfilm, a microindex file for searching the microfilm is stored in advance in a computer recording device or the like.

An example of the micro index file is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the micro index file, four data items consisting of document identification information, document identification number, film number and frame number are associated with each other, and these constitute micro index data. . This microindex data allows the identification of one document and another on microfilm.

In general, in microfilm retrieval, a person who needs a document (hereinafter referred to as a document requester) provides document identification information for document retrieval by a person in charge of document retrieval by microfilm (hereinafter referred to as a person in charge of document retrieval). ) And read the document identification number, film number, and frame number from the recording device in which the micro index file is stored, as microfilm data for the document to be searched based on the document identification information based on the microindex file. To get. Then, the microfilm corresponding to the obtained film number is taken out from the warehouse or the like, and the document image in the image recording area corresponding to the target frame number is read by the microfilm reader. Then, the person in charge of document search transmits the obtained document image to the terminal of the document requester using e-mail or the like.

In the example of FIG. 3, the document identification information is the group number,
A case has been shown in which the data items are the reference date and the form ID, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the example in which the person in charge of document search searches for the document identification number based on the document identification information has been shown, but the person in charge of document search acquires the document identification number directly from the requester of the document and The film number and frame number may be specified. In this case, the data item called document identification information is unnecessary.

The above-described microfilms are collectively converted into image files by the microfilm conversion system 1 and are stored in the image management system in a searchable manner.

Next, the details of each component of the microfilm conversion system 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the conversion terminal 11. The conversion terminal 11 is, for example, C
A processor 111 such as a PU and a memory that executes a predetermined arithmetic process based on a predetermined program is provided. The processor 111 reads an image reading program, an image saving program, and a communication processing program from a recording device (not shown) to execute the image reading means 11
1a, image storage means 111b, communication processing means 111
function as c. The recording device in which the program is recorded may be composed of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD and a recording medium reading device for reading the recording medium, or may be a recording device such as a magnetic disk.
Hereinafter, since the configuration of the recording device in which the program and the like are recorded is common to recording devices such as other terminals, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The processor 111 includes a high-speed scanner 11
0, display device 113, input device 114, communication device 11
5, an image file recording device 116 and a micro index file recording device 117 are connected.

The high speed scanner 110 includes a processor 111.
The image recorded in the image recording area 202 of the microfilm 112 is scanned at high speed based on a command from the image reading unit 111a to capture the image data and output it to the processor 111. In the image acquisition, for example, in the example of the microfilm of FIG. 2, the image capturing area is scanned in the direction indicated by the arrow and the images recorded in the image recording area 202 are sequentially captured.

More specifically, the high speed scanner 110 is
A light irradiation device that irradiates the image recording area 202 of the microfilm with light, a light receiving sensor such as a CCD that receives the light transmitted through or reflected by the microfilm by this light irradiation, and a conversion device that converts this light receiving sensor into a digital signal. Etc. As a result, visual information such as photographs and documents recorded in the image recording area 202 of the microfilm can be converted into digital data.

Image storage means 11 of the processor 111
1b adds temporary index data such as a film number to the obtained image data and stores it in the image file recording device 116. The display device 113 is, for example, a display such as a CRT, and the high speed scanner 11
The progress status of scan by 0 is displayed. The image storage means 111b displays a temporary index input screen on the display device 113 and prompts the operator to input the temporary index. The image storage means 111b stores the temporary index selected by the operator in the image file recording device 116 as an image file in association with the image data and with a file name.

The temporary index data may be any data that can be used for associating the micro index file with the image data scanned from the micro film, such as the document identification information, the document identification number and the film number of the micro index file. Either one is fine. In the present embodiment, the film number will be described as temporary index data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the index creating terminal 12. Indexing terminal 12
Includes a processor 121 such as a CPU and a memory that executes a predetermined arithmetic process based on a predetermined program. The processor 121 reads an image analysis program, an analysis data inspection program, an image classification program, and a communication processing program from a recording device (not shown) to execute the image analysis unit 121a, the analysis data inspection unit 121b, and the image classification unit 121c. ,
It functions as the communication processing means 121d.

The processor 121 includes a display device 122,
The input device 123, the communication device 124, the micro index file recording device 125, the image file recording device 126, and the multi-image recording device 127 are connected.

The image analysis means 121a reads the image file received from the conversion terminal 11 and executes an image analysis process on the read image data. As a result, the barcode data recorded in the image data is analyzed and converted into character data (hereinafter, this analyzed data is referred to as barcode analysis data). Then, the obtained bar code analysis data is temporarily stored in the image file recording device 126. After the image analysis, the image file stored in the image file recording device 126 is associated with the bar code analysis data in addition to the image data, the file name, the temporary index. Further, the barcode analysis data is associated with the image data of the read image recording area. This makes it possible to confirm in which image the barcode was recorded.

The analysis data inspection means 121b executes inspection processing of the barcode analysis data read by the image analysis means 121a. Although various concrete methods of the inspection process can be considered, the inspection process can be configured by, for example, a digit cancellation inspection process as the first inspection process and a barcode recognition omission determination process as the second inspection process.

At the time of analyzing the bar code data, it is recognized that the image file obtained from the image recording area 202 in which the image analyzing means 121a is a bar code is a result of analyzing the bar code. , Of some digits, some may not be recognized and may be read. The digit cancellation inspection processing corrects this insufficient reading. Further, when the degree of recognition is low, it may not be possible to recognize that the barcode is recorded although the barcode is recorded in a certain image recording area 202. In this case, the barcode recognition omission determination processing determines whether or not there is any unrecognized barcode.

The digit cancellation inspection processing as the first inspection processing will be described. First, the analysis data inspection means 121b
Reads the barcode analysis data stored in the image file recording device 126. Then, the digit number of the obtained bar code analysis data is compared with a predetermined reference digit number. This reference number of digits is automatically set based on the number of digits read from the number of digits of the barcode analysis data (e.g., of the read barcode analysis data, even if the operator inputs the number using the input device 123). The maximum number of digits may be set as the reference number of digits).

Then, bar code analysis data having a digit number different from the reference digit number is extracted. Then, the extracted bar code analysis data is displayed on the display device 122 together with the image data from which the bar code analysis data is read, and the operator is urged to correct and input the number of digits. In response to the request for the correction input, the operator receives the display device 122.
The number of digits is corrected and input using the input device 123 with reference to the image. The analysis data inspection means 121b updates the image file of the image file recording device 126 with the barcode analysis data corrected by the correction input value. As a result, the image file recording device 126
The image file stored in is corrected to the barcode analysis data with no loss of digits.

Next, the barcode recognition omission determination process as the second inspection process will be described.

Since the bar code analysis data is bar coded index information, it coincides with the document identification number. This document identification number is managed as a micro index file. Therefore, by comparing the document identification number managed as a micro index file with the barcode analysis data, it is possible to determine whether the barcode analysis data is complete.

The analysis data inspection means 121b reads the document identification number contained in the micro index file read from the micro index file recording device 125 and the bar code analysis data stored in the image recording device 127, and collates them. To do. In the collation, for example, the document identification numbers at the beginning are sequentially collated at 1: 1 and the document identification numbers that do not match are extracted. When a document identification number that does not match is extracted, it is determined that the barcode given as the document identification number could not be analyzed, the determination result is displayed on the display device 122, and the barcode is displayed to the operator. Prompt for the document identification number to be read from. Further, the analysis data inspection means 121b displays the image of the image data together with the determination result on the display device 1.
22 is displayed. Thereby, the operator may input the data using the input device 123 from the barcode that can be seen from the image displayed on the display device 122. The analysis data inspection means 121b adds the input data as barcode analysis data and updates the image file recording device 126. As a result, in the image file stored in the image file recording device 126, there is no digit cancellation, and the barcode analysis data in which the data not recognized because the barcode cannot be read by the image analysis means 121a is added. Will be associated.

The image classifying means 121c is a means for classifying the image files for each document based on the bar code analysis data that has been inspected by the analysis data inspecting means 121b. The images recorded on the microfilm are read from the first image recording area 202 with a bar code to the image recording area 202 with a next bar code.
It is shown that it is a single document up to. Therefore, from the image file associated with the barcode analysis data to the file in front of the image file associated with the next barcode analysis data correspond to the image file for one document. Therefore, it is possible to classify the image data regarding a document on the basis of the association of the barcode analysis data with the image file from the image data regarding another document.

The image classifying means 121c reads the image file from the image file recording device 126.
Then, one file name (for example, barcode analysis data) is newly added from the image file obtained from the barcode analysis data to the image file before the image file from which the next barcode analysis data was obtained. , And is stored in the multi-image recording device 127 as a multi-image file including a plurality of image files. The new file name may be the file name input by the operator.

The communication processing means 121d includes a communication device 124.
To execute communication processing. In the first communication process, the communication device 124 receives the image file received from the conversion terminal 11. In the second communication process, the multi-image file read from the multi-image recording device 127 is transferred to the image registration terminal 13 by the communication device 124.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the image registration terminal 13. The image registration terminal 13 includes a processor 131 such as a CPU and a memory that executes a predetermined arithmetic process based on a predetermined program. The processor 131 functions as an image registration unit 131a and a communication processing unit 131b by reading and executing an image registration program and a communication processing program from a recording device (not shown).

The processor 131 includes an input device 132,
The display device 133, the communication device 134, and the multi-image recording device 135 are connected.

The image registration means 131a executes registration processing of the multi-image file received from the index creation terminal 12 into the image management system. Specifically, first, a multi-image file is displayed as a multi-image with a file name as a multi-image on the display device 133, and the input of additional information considered effective at the time of search (hereinafter, search assist information) is prompted. When the search auxiliary information is input by the operator, the search auxiliary information is associated with the file name and a transfer request is made to the communication processing means 131b as index data.

In response to the transfer request from the image registration means 131a, the communication processing means 131b causes the image server 31 to associate the index data with the multi-image file and transfer it by the communication device 134 via the network 4.

The communication processing means 131b controls the reception of the multi-image file from the index creating terminal 12 by the communication device 134.

Next, the operation of the above image management system will be described.

First, the operation up to image registration of a microfilm by the microfilm conversion system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the high-speed scanner 11
Micro film 112 that is the target of image registration to 0
Set. Then, the image recorded in the image recording area 202 of the microfilm 112 is scanned at high speed to capture the image data (s1). The image data taken in under the control of the image reading means 111a of the processor 111 is output to the processor 111 of the converting terminal 11 (s2). In this image data, for each image recording area 202 to be scanned,
The file name is added.

Image storage means 11 of the processor 111
1b is a micro index file recording device 117
The micro index file is displayed on the display device 113 and the operator is prompted to input the temporary index data. From the display contents of the display device 113, the operator
The micro index data of the micro film 112 that is the target of scanning is selected. The image storage means 111b stores the selected micro index data (film number here) as temporary index data in association with the file name in the image file recording device 116 (s3).

An example of the image file stored in the image file recording device 116 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a file name is associated with each of the obtained image data. An image file obtained from a certain film is associated with a common film number, and an image file obtained from another film is associated with another common film number. The film number is data that is input or selected by the operator as temporary index data.

Communication processing means 111c of the processor 111
Reads the image file stored in the image file recording device 116 and causes the communication device 115 to transmit the image file. The image file transmitted by the communication device 115 is transferred via the network 4 (s
4), which is received by the index creating terminal 12.

The image file received by the communication device 124 is output to the processor 121 under the control of the communication processing means 121d of the index creating terminal 12. Then, the image file is temporarily stored in the image file recording device 126 by the processor 121. Next, the image analysis means 121a reads the image file stored in the image file recording device 126. Then, the analysis processing of the barcode included in the image file is executed (s5), and the character data (barcode analysis data) is acquired. The obtained bar code analysis data is stored as an image file in the image file recording device 126 in association with the image data to be analyzed and in association with its file name.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image file associated with barcode analysis data. As shown in FIG. 9, barcode analysis data is added to the image-acquired file shown in FIG.

This bar code analysis data is associated with the image data in which the bar code is recorded. In the example of FIG. 9, image data 1 and image data 90
A barcode is recorded on each of the image data 1001 and the image data 1001, and barcode analysis data is associated with these image data.

Further, the bar code analysis data is added for each unit for identifying a document, and becomes one data for one document. The bar code is recorded in the first area of the image recording area 202 in which the document is recorded. Therefore, the barcode analysis data is stored in association with the first image file as the recording unit of the document. Since a plurality of documents are usually recorded on one film, if there are no reading omissions or analysis omissions, the same number of barcode analysis data as the number of documents can be obtained for each film.

When this bar code analysis processing is completed, the analysis data inspection means 121b executes the digit cancellation inspection processing (s6). FIG. 10 shows a detailed flow of the precision cancellation inspection process. In the digit cancellation inspection process, for example, a predetermined digit number (reference digit number) of the barcode recorded in a recording device (not shown) is compared and collated with the digit number of the barcode analysis data (s61). For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 9, it can be seen that the number of digits of the bar code is usually six, but this reference number of digits “6” is recorded in the recording device in advance. The reference digit number may be calculated by calculating the digit number of a plurality of read barcode analysis data as shown in FIG. 9 and automatically setting the largest digit number as the reference digit number.

The analysis data inspecting means 121b compares the reference digit number with the digit number of each bar code analysis data to determine whether or not they match. If they match, there is no digit cancellation, so it is determined that there is no digit cancellation (s62). If they do not match, it is determined that a digit cancellation has occurred (s6).
3). If it is determined that a digit cancellation has occurred, it indicates that a digit cancellation has occurred, and a data correction screen for correcting the digit cancellation bar code analysis data is displayed on the display device 122 as shown in FIG. 11 (s64 ), Encourage data entry. On this data correction screen, as shown in FIG. 11, the bar code analysis data of the digit cancellation (“00111” in the figure,
It is displayed as a screen for correcting this display data.

While referring to this data correction screen, the operator inputs the correction data for the digit cancellation (s6).
5). When the data correction is completed, it is determined whether or not the digit cancellation has been performed on all the bar code analysis data (s66). If not completed, the process proceeds to (s67) to acquire the next bar code analysis data, and (s61).
The processing shown in (s66) is repeatedly executed. If it has ended, the image file associated with the corrected barcode analysis data is stored in the image file recording device 126 (s68), and the process ends. FIG. 12 shows an example of the image file in which the digit cancellation has been corrected.
The data items are the same as in FIG. As shown in FIG.
The digit loss of the barcode analysis data associated with the image data 1001 having the digit loss has been corrected, and the number of digits of all the barcode analysis data is uniform.

When the digit cancellation correction process is completed, the analysis data inspecting means 121b executes the bar code recognition omission determination process (s7).

A detailed flow of the barcode recognition omission determination process is shown in FIG.

In the bar code recognition omission determination, first, the image file (image file corresponding to FIG. 12) for which the digit cancellation processing has been completed is read from the image file recording device 126, and the micro index file is read from the micro index file recording device 125. Read out (s71).

Next, the bar code analysis data after the digit cancellation correction included in the read image file and the document identification number that matches the bar code analysis data are extracted from the micro index file (s72). This extraction may be performed using, for example, a film number as a key.

Next, the next barcode analysis data of the extracted barcode analysis data and the next document identification number are compared and collated (s73). As a result of the comparison and collation, if the both data match, it is determined that there is no analysis omission data (s74). Then, it is determined whether the collation is completed for all the document identification numbers (s75), and if not completed, the process proceeds to (s76) to extract the next barcode analysis data and the next document identification number. Then, similar comparison and collation processing is repeatedly executed. If the barcode analysis data and the document identification number do not match, it is determined that there is analysis-missing data (s77), and the analysis-missing barcode data input screen is displayed on the display device 122 (s7).
8) Prompt the operator to input data that could not be read. When data is input by the operator (s78
a) Then, the input data and the document identification number which is not matched in (s73) are compared and collated (s79). If the two match according to this comparison and collation, the process proceeds to (s74), and if they do not match, the process proceeds to (s77), and the same processing as above is repeated.

When the collation is completed for all the document identification numbers, the image file recording device 126 stores the image data associated with the barcode analysis data corrected by the barcode recognition omission determination as an image file.
(S80), and the process ends.

A more detailed process in the case where the barcode analysis data and the document identification number are not matched by comparison and collation will be described.

Specifically, the first recognition omission determination process when there is one or more recognition omission bar codes between two bar codes, the recognition omission occurs before a bar code. There is a second recognition omission determination process when there is a barcode and a third recognition omission determination process when there is a recognition omission barcode after a certain barcode.

First, the first recognition omission determination process will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the barcode analysis data associated with the image data 1 is 0011.
11, the barcode analysis data of the image data 901 is 001141, and the document identification number is 00111.
It is assumed that the order of registration is 1,001112,001113,001114, .... A blank space in the data item of the barcode analysis data indicates that the barcode analysis data is image data that has not been recognized. Further, the image data is assumed to be sequentially scanned from the image data 1 to the image data 2, 3, ...

First, as shown in (s72) of FIG.
The barcode analysis data and the document identification number are sequentially collated, and the one that matches both is extracted. In the example of FIG. 14, it is assumed that the document identification number 001111 is extracted from the barcode analysis data 001111 (s81).

Next, the order of a series of bar code analysis data is decremented by one from the one extracted in (s81), and the next bar code analysis data 001114 is extracted. Similarly, the order of a series of document identification numbers is moved down from the sequence extracted in (s81) by one, and the next document identification number 00111
Extract 2. Then, as a corresponding step in (s73), both are compared and collated to determine whether they match or do not match (s82). Since the two do not match, the order of the document identification number is further decremented by one from the one extracted in (s82), and the next document identification number 001113 is extracted.
Then, the barcode analysis data 001114 and the document identification number 001113 are compared and collated to determine whether they match or do not match (s83). Since the two do not match, the order of the document identification number is further decremented by one from the one extracted in (s83), and the next document identification number 001114 is extracted. Then, the bar code analysis data 001114 and the document identification number 001114 are compared and collated to determine whether they match or not (s84). Since the two match, it is determined that there is missing recognition data (s77), and the comparison and collation processing ends.

By the comparison and collation processing of these (s81) to (s84), the image data 1 to the image data 901 associated with the barcode analysis data 001111 are associated.
It can be seen that the same number of omissions of barcode recognition omissions occurred until the same time.

Then, in (s78), the data input screen is displayed, and the operator is requested to input the bar code which is not recognized. On this input screen, images of image data 2 to image data 900 are displayed. The operator finds the image in which the barcode is recorded from the displayed image data 2 from the displayed image data 2 and inputs the number attached to the barcode included in the displayed image to the input device of the index creating terminal 12. Enter using 123. In addition, the operator does not enter all the bar codes, and the document identification numbers that do not match in (s82) and (s83) are displayed.
It is also possible to process only by selecting the image in which the barcode is recorded by the operator. This is because the unrecognized bar code matches the document identification number, and it is not necessary to request the operator to input the bar code data again.

Next, the second recognition omission determination process when there is a recognition omission bar code before a certain bar code will be described. In this second recognition omission determination process, a process deviating from the flow shown in FIG. 13 is executed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the barcode analysis data associated with the image data 301 is 001.
112, and the document identification numbers are 001111 and 0011.
It is assumed that they are given in the order of 12, ... The blank column of the data item of the bar code analysis data indicates that the bar code analysis data is the unread image data. Further, it is assumed that image data 1, image data 2, 3, ...

First, as shown in (s72) of FIG.
The barcode analysis data and the document identification number are sequentially collated, and the two that match are collated. In the example of FIG. 15, the first-read bar code analysis data 001112 and the first document identification number 001111 are extracted and compared and collated (s91). Since the two do not match, the order of the series of document identification numbers is decremented by one from the one extracted in (s91), and the next document identification number 001112 is extracted. Then, the barcode analysis data 001112 and the document identification number 001112 are compared and collated to determine whether they match or do not match. Since both have the same numerical value, it is determined that they match (s92).

As a result, the barcode corresponding to the document identification number 001111 is missed, and the barcode that is not recognized is more than the image data 301 in which the barcode associated with the document identification number 001112 is recorded. It can be seen that it is included in any of the previously scanned image data.

Therefore, as in the case of (s78) in FIG. 13, the data input screen is displayed and the operator is requested to input the bar code which has been missed. On this input screen, images up to the image data 300 are displayed. The operator finds an image in which a barcode is recorded from the images up to the image data 300, and inputs the number attached to the barcode included in the image using the input device 123. The other processes are common to the first recognition omission determination process, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the third recognition omission determination process when there is a recognition omission bar code after a certain bar code will be described. In the third recognition omission determination process, a process deviating from the flow shown in FIG. 13 is executed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the bar code analysis data associated with the image data 501 is 00.
1113, and the document identification number is ... 001113,0
Assume that they are given in the order of 01114, ....
Bar code analysis data 00113 3 and document identification number 00
The comparison and collation up to 1113 (s101) is executed as shown in the first recognition omission determination process, and even if the next barcode analysis data is extracted, the next analysis data does not exist. Document identification number 00114 exists. In this case, it is not possible to compare and collate both (s10
2). However, it can be seen that the barcode analysis data corresponding to the document identification number 001114 is a recognition omission, and the bar code of this recognition omission is included in the image data after the image data 502.

Therefore, as in the case of (s78) in FIG. 13, the data input screen is displayed and the operator is requested to input the bar code which has been missed. On this input screen, the images after the image data 502 are displayed.

The operator uses this image data 502.
An image in which a barcode is recorded is found from the subsequent images, and the number included in the image is input using the input device 123. The other processes are common to the first recognition omission determination process, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 17 shows an example of an image file for which the analysis data inspection processing has been completed in this manner. FIG. 17
As shown in, the bar code that was not recognized is associated with the image data.

Next, the image classification means 121c of the index creating terminal 12 executes the image classification process on the image file for which the analysis data inspection has been completed (s8). The image classification process is, specifically, a process of generating a multi-image file composed of a plurality of image files based on barcode analysis data and associated with one barcode analysis data.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of image classification processing. As shown in FIG. 18, from the image data associated with the barcode analysis data to the image data before the image data associated with the next barcode analysis data are multipaged and associated with each other. The stored barcode analysis data is stored as a multi-image file in the multi-image recording device 127 as a multi-image file name.

In the example of FIG. 18, the image data 1 to the image data 300 are multi-paged and the file name is 0011 as one multi-image file 1.
11 is stored in the multi-image recording device 127.

In the case where a microcode has a bar code recorded in the last recording area in the scanning order of a plurality of image recording areas in which an image of a certain document is recorded, the bar code analysis data is used. It is sufficient to make one multi-image file from the image data next to the image data associated with to the image data associated with the next barcode analysis data. In this case, for example, in the example of FIG. 18, the image data 2 to the image data 301 are one multi-image file.

The communication processing means 121d reads the multi-image file subjected to the image classification processing from the multi-image recording device 127 and causes the communication device 124 to transfer it to the image registration terminal 13 (s9).

Communication processing means 13 of the image registration terminal 13
1b receives the multi-image file at the communication device 134. This multi-image file is stored in the multi-image recording device 135 (s10).

The image registration means 131a of the image registration terminal 13 executes a process of registering search auxiliary information (s1).
1). Specifically, the image registration unit 131a reads the multi-image file from the multi-image recording device 135, displays the multi-image file and the multi-image file name on the display device 133, and prompts the operator to input the search auxiliary information. In response to this, the operator inputs the search auxiliary information while referring to the display contents of the image and the like. The input search information is stored in the multi-image recording device 135 in association with the multi-image file.

Incidentally, the registration processing of this retrieval auxiliary information (s1
1) may be omitted. Alternatively, instead of the registration process (s11), a micro index file is received from another terminal or the like, and the document identification information included in the micro index file is associated with the barcode analysis data to assist the search. It may be registered as information.
In addition, as the search assistance information, the insurance product information including the insurance product information related to the acquired image and the registration destination specifying information such as the folder name to be registered in the image server 31 are registered. You may. Also,
The image data may be sorted and registered by the image server 31 for each insurance product information using the insurance product information as the registration destination specifying information. In the case of distributing and registering, for example, processing such as registration for each folder provided in the image server 31 may be performed. Although an error may remain due to the association between the image data and the barcode data by the index creation terminal 12, in the registration processing of this search assist information, the association in which the error has occurred is corrected and the corrected barcode analysis is performed. A multi-image recording device 13 by associating a multi-image file with data
5 may be stored.

When the registration of the search auxiliary information is completed, the image registration means 131a sends a request to the communication processing means 131b for sending the multi-image file name and the search auxiliary information to the image server 31 as index information. , Image management server system 3 for multi-image files associated with index information
Request to send to. In response to this transmission request, the communication processing means 131b uses the communication device 134 to transmit the index information to the image server 31 (s12a).
Then, the transmission process (s12b) of the multi-image file to the image management server system 3 is executed. These transmission processes (s12a) and (s12b) are collectively executed by nighttime batch processing, for example.

The image server 31 of the image management server system 3 having received the multi-image file stores the received multi-image file in the DVD autochanger 310. Further, the image server 31 that has received the index information stores the index information in the index data recording device 320 so that it can be searched by the image search program. As a result, the multi-imaged document information is registered in the image search system including the image management server system 3.

When executing the image search, the operator uses the image search terminal 22 to start the image search program. This image search program is realized by a WWW browser generally used.
Of course, it may be realized by a program dedicated to image search. An example of an execution screen by the image search program is shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and (b) and FIGS. 20 (a) and 20 (b).

When the image search program is activated, the image search terminal 22 issues an access request to the image server 31. In response to this access request, the image server 31 transmits the image registration screen file to the image search terminal 22. The image search terminal 22 displays the received image registration screen. An image registration screen shown in FIG. 19A is displayed by the image search program. When the user name and password name are input on this image registration screen and the user logs in, the menu screen shown in FIG. 19B is displayed. If "data capture" is selected on this menu screen, image capture by the scanner of the document using the image scanner 210 can be executed.

When "Search" is selected on the menu screen, an image search request is issued from the image search terminal 22 to the image server 31. In response to this image search request, the image server 31 transmits the search processing screen file to the image search terminal 22. Image search terminal 22
Displays the received search processing screen. FIG. 20A is a diagram showing an example of the search processing screen. Note that the index data is sent from the image server 31 to the image search terminal 2 based on the image search request from the image search terminal 22.
2, and is displayed on the search processing screen.

On this search processing screen, it is possible to search both the document registered by the image scanner 210 and the document registered by the high speed scanner 110 from the microfilm. On this screen the operator
Enter "Group number", "New contract / change account", "Form name", "Large item", "Medium item", "Small item", etc. These input items correspond to the data registered in the index data recording device 320 as index information. For example, "group number", "new contract / change", "form name", etc. are included in the bar code analysis data included in the index information, and "large item", "medium item", "small item", etc. It may be made to correspond to the search assist information included in the information.

When the index data is input or selected by the image search terminal 22, the index data is transmitted to the image server 31. The image server 31 extracts the multi-image file associated with the received index data, and the image search terminal 2
Send to 2. The image search terminal 22 displays the received multi-image file.

An example of the extraction result screen in which this multi-image file is displayed is shown in FIG. 20 (b).

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the document image is captured from the microfilm and managed as a multi-image, it is not necessary to search the microfilm, and the microfilm is recorded as the microfilm. You can efficiently search for documents. Specifically, the search time, which took several hours to several days from the search to the extraction, can be performed in several seconds or less. As a result, the waiting time until the required document information is obtained by the search can be significantly reduced, and the clerical efficiency and the customer service can be improved by avoiding the clogging of clerical work.

By storing a multi-image file in the DVD autochanger, it is possible to store a document image having a data capacity of tera. As a result, it is possible to reduce the floor expansion cost for the space for physical management.

Further, the document image read by the microfilm and the document image read by the scanner of the normal document can be easily searched by the same search method without distinguishing them.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

The image analysis means 121a may be provided in the index creation terminal 12 or the conversion terminal 11. The index creation terminal 12 and the conversion terminal 11 may be integrated.

Image reading means 111a, image storage means 111b, image analysis means 121a, analysis data inspection means 121b, image classification means 121c,
The image registration means 131a converts the conversion terminal 11 and the index creation terminal 1 according to the respective functions of these means.
2. Although the case where the image registration terminals 13 are distributed and arranged is shown, the image registration terminals 13 may be provided and implemented in a single terminal, or the terminals to be distributed may be changed.

Further, the image acquisition client system 2 and the image management server system 3 are not limited to the structure connected to the microfilm conversion system 1 via the network 4. The functions shown in the image registration terminal 21 and the image search terminal 22 or the functions shown in the image server 31 and the DVD autochanger 310 may be integrated with any of the terminals 11, 12, and 13 of the microfilm conversion system 1.

Further, it is needless to say that the inspection of the analysis data can be applied with a determination process other than the precision cancellation determination and the recognition omission data presence / absence determination. For example, it is possible to include a recognition error judgment process which cannot be inspected by the digit cancellation judgment and the recognition omission data presence judgment.

When the recognition error determination processing is executed, the barcode analysis data is collated with the document identification number, and if they do not match, the barcode analysis data scanned before or after the inconsistent barcode analysis data is detected. , The document identification number registered before or after the mismatched document identification number is displayed, and the operator is requested to make an error correction input. Then, the data corrected by the operator is associated with the image data including the barcode analysis data. As a result, it becomes possible to correct the barcode recognition error that cannot be inspected by the digit cancellation determination processing or the recognition omission data presence determination.

The index data is index data recording device 320 connected to the image server 31.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the index data recording device 320 is connected to the image search terminal 22, and the image search terminal 22 transfers the index data to the communication device 134 of the image registration terminal 13.
It may be configured to be received and stored from. Of course, both the image server 31 and the image search terminal 22 may be provided with index data recording devices.

[0116]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the image of a document can be efficiently managed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a microfilm according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a micro index file according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of a conversion terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the index creation terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image registration terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of operations up to image registration of a microfilm in the microfilm conversion system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image file after (s3) according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image file associated with barcode analysis data according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a detailed flow of a precision cancellation inspection process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a data correction screen for correcting digit cancellation barcode analysis data according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image file in which cancellation of digits has been corrected according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of a barcode recognition omission determination process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining a first recognition omission determination process according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a second recognition omission determination process according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a third recognition omission determination process according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an image file in which the analysis data inspection processing according to the embodiment has been completed.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of image classification processing according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of an execution screen by the image search program according to the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of an execution screen by the image search program according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Micro film conversion system 2. Image acquisition client system 3 ... Image management server system 4 ... Network 11 ... Convert terminal 12 ... Indexing terminal 13 ... Image registration terminal 21 ... Image registration terminal 22 ... Image search terminal 31 ... Image server 110 ... High-speed scanner 111 ... Processor 112 ... Micro film 113 ... Display device 114 ... Input device 115 ... Communication device 116 ... Image file recording device 117 ... Micro index file recording device 121 ... Processor 122 ... Display device 123 ... Input device 124 ... Communication device 125 ... Micro index file recording device 126 ... Image file recording device 127 ... Multi-image recording device 131 ... Processor 132 ... Input device 133 ... Display device 134 ... Communication device 135 ... Multi-image recording device 202 ... Image recording area 203 ... Guide area 204a, 204b ... Blip marks 210 ... Image scanner 310 ... DVD auto changer 320 ... Index data recording device

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hisao Ozawa             1-9 Nikko-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo Dai-ichi Life Information             System Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B050 AA09 BA10 BA15 BA16 DA01                       FA02 FA13 FA19 GA08                 5B072 BB00 CC24                 5B075 MM31 NK02 NK24 PP05

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A film of a microfilm comprising a plurality of image recording areas, wherein at least one of the image recording areas includes a bar code in which readable microindex data for managing image information is recorded. A scanner for sequentially capturing images to obtain image data, an image analysis unit for recognizing a barcode included in the image data to obtain barcode analysis data, and a barcode analysis analyzed by the image analysis unit. The data and the micro index data are compared and collated, and the analysis data inspection means for correcting the barcode analysis data based on the comparison result, and the barcode analysis data corrected by the analysis data inspection means as the search index data. In association with the image data, An image management system comprising image classification means for classifying image data. 2. The analysis data inspection means collates the barcode analysis data with the micro index data, and if they do not match, displays a correction screen of the barcode analysis data on a display device. Image management system. 3. The multi-image by associating the same search index data from the image data associated with the barcode analysis data to the image data associated with the next barcode analysis data. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image management system is classified as a file. 4. An input screen for search index data is displayed on a display device to prompt input of search index data, and a multi-image file associated with the search index data is read out based on the input search index data, The image management system according to claim 3, further comprising search means for displaying on a display device. 5. The image management system according to claim 4, further comprising a multi-image file recording device that stores the multi-image file in association with the search index data. 6. An image registration means for capturing an image of a document to obtain image data, and registering the image data as a document image file by associating the document index data with the image data. The image management system according to claim 4, wherein when data is input, a document image file associated with the document index data is read and displayed on the display device. 7. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the analysis data inspection unit executes a digit cancellation determination process for determining whether or not the barcode analysis data matches a reference digit number. 8. The analysis data inspection means displays the bar code analysis data, which has been determined to have a digit loss by the digit loss determination processing, on a display device and prompts a correction input of the barcode analysis data. Image management system. 9. The analysis data inspection means collates the bar code analysis data with the micro index data, and if they do not match each other, displays the image data on a display device to prompt input of a bar code. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the input barcode data is associated with the image data. 10. The analysis data inspection means causes the display device to display the image data scanned before the image data associated with the barcode analysis data that does not match in the collation. Image management system described. 11. The analysis data inspection means collates the bar code analysis data with the micro index data, and when the bar code analysis data and the micro index data match, the analysis order is followed in the scanning order of the micro film. Then, the first process of extracting and collating the micro index data registered next according to the registration order of the bar code analysis data scanned next and the micro index data is repeatedly executed. If the micro index data do not match, a process of collating the micro index data registered next according to the registration order of the micro index data with the barcode analysis data is performed. The second repeated until analysis data matches
When the micro index data and the bar code analysis data are matched in the second process, the bar code analysis data is scanned later than the bar code analysis data matched in the first process, and 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image data scanned earlier in the scanning order than the bar code analysis data matched in the process 2 is displayed on the display device and the third process for prompting the input of the bar code is executed. Management system. 12. The analysis data inspection means collates the barcode analysis data and the micro index data, and when the barcode analysis data and the micro index data do not match, the micro index data is registered in the order of registration. A second process of repeating a process of collating the micro index data registered next along with the barcode analysis data is repeated until the micro index data and the barcode analysis data match by the collation, When the micro index data and the bar code analysis data are matched by the process of 2, the display device is caused to display the image data scanned earlier in the scan order than the bar code analysis data which is matched by the second process. Fourth process that prompts you to enter a barcode Image management system as recited in claim 1 to perform. 13. The analysis data inspection means collates the bar code analysis data with the micro index data. When the bar code analysis data and the micro index data match, the analysis data inspection means follows the scan order of the micro film. When the barcode analysis data and the micro index data do not match each other, the first process of extracting and collating the barcode analysis data and the micro index data scanned next is repeatedly performed, and the micro film A process of collating the micro index data and the barcode analysis data scanned next in the scanning order of 1 is repeated until the micro index data and the barcode analysis data match by the collation.
If the micro index data and the barcode analysis data do not match in the second processing, the image data scanned later in the scan order than the barcode analysis data matched in the first processing. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image management system executes a fifth process for displaying a message on a display device to prompt the user to input a barcode. 14. The film of microfilm, comprising a plurality of image recording areas, wherein at least one of the image recording areas includes a bar code in which readable microindex data for managing image information is recorded. Image data is obtained by sequentially capturing images, barcode analysis data is obtained by recognizing a barcode included in the image data, the barcode analysis data and the micro index data are compared and collated, An image management method for correcting the barcode analysis data based on the collation result, and classifying the image data by associating the barcode analysis data corrected by the analysis data inspection means with the image data as search index data. 15. A microfilm including a computer, comprising a plurality of image recording areas, wherein at least one of the image recording areas includes a barcode in which microindex data for managing image information is recorded in a readable manner. Means for sequentially capturing the film images to obtain image data, means for recognizing a barcode included in the image data to obtain barcode analysis data, barcode analysis data analyzed by the image analysis means And a means for comparing and collating the micro index data with each other and correcting the barcode analysis data based on the collation result, the barcode analysis data corrected by the analysis data inspecting means corresponding to the image data as search index data Attach the image data Image management program for functioning as a means for classifying.